Olbrook History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe ancestors of the name Olbrook date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the region of Holbrook in Suffolk. The surname Olbrook originally referred to a "sunken stream"or "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow" in Old English. 1 "Holbrook is an ancient surname in the east of England. As Holebrok, we found it six centuries ago in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and also in Northamptonshire. There are parishes, etc., named Holbrook in the counties of Derby, Warwick, Gloucester, Dorset, and Sussex." 2 Early Origins of the Olbrook familyThe surname Olbrook was first found in Suffolk at Holbrook, a parish, in the incorporation and hundred of Samford or at Holbrook in Derbyshire, a chapelry, in the parish of Duffield, union of Belper, hundred of Appletree. Both locations are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Holebroc. 3 Literally, the place name means "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow," from the Old English words "hol" + "broc." 1 "Holbrook Hall is a fine old mansion, surrounded with 300 acres of land" 4 built in the 17th century. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include some of the first entries for the family: William de Holebrok, Lincolnshire; Richard de Holebrokke, Suffolk; and Roger de Holebrokke, Nottinghamshire. 5 Kirby's Quest listed Isota Holebrok, in Somerset, temp. 1 Edward III. 6 Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed William Holbroke. 5 Early History of the Olbrook familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olbrook research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1412, 1413, 1418, 1421, 1437, 1622 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Olbrook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Olbrook Spelling VariationsOlbrook has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Olbrook have been found, including Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more. Early Notables of the Olbrook familyDistinguished members of the family include
Migration of the Olbrook familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Olbrooks to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Holbrook settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1630; Charles Holbrick settled in Washington, Maryland in 1798; Anne Holbrooke settled in Barbados in 1654.
|